Surrender is NOT always a bad thing. This week – a friend shared a novena for Abandonment to God; and as I prayed it each day I realized what I really needed to do was just surrender.  MY fear, doubt, anxiety … just give it to Him!

​Small Success #1

Started the novena of Abandonment to God …. and pray each day 10 x (or more):

O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything.

​Small Success #2

Went to Confession.   I love the Sacrament of Reconciliation – so getting me there is never a chore; however allowing God to truly heal me as the sacrament as it is intended can sometimes take a bit more coaxing.   Yesterday, I visited Holy Cross Family Ministries in S Easton Massachusetts (I am blessed to be only 20 minutes from their headquarters in the Fr. Peyton Center #LoveThatMan).   In line with the beautiful yet very unique penances I seem to receive … Father asked me to pray one Our Father and then read this scripture passage:

Remember not the events of the past,
    the things of long ago consider not;
See, I am doing something new!
    Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
In the wilderness I make a way,
    in the wasteland, rivers. ~ Isaiah 43: 18-19 (NABRE)

If God is truly going to teach me how to abandon my fears, anxieties, doubts and all around burdens to Him, then he TRULY will be springing forth something new.  Although, I am not expecting my anxious nature to magically (or mystically) vanish – I do fully expect a peace and joy that can only come from living yoked to Christ.   Each time I pray … I surrender (and mean it) … is a small success. 

Success #3 – Getting my PRAISE back on!
​
The Lord has definitely be calling me to a posture of PRAISE instead of panic this summer.  To help me along on this surrendering journey, I’ve been including this song from Hillsong LIVE each morning as part of my prayer time:

All Rights Reserved, Allison Gingras 2016